Weight loss drugs better than yoga, exercise? Bill Gates says meds more effective than lifestyle changes

Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, has said the global obesity crisis is one problem money simply can’t solve.

Appearing on entrepreneur Raj Shamani’s podcast, Figuring Out, Gates stressed the difficulty of creating lasting behaviour change in societies grappling with weight-related health issues.

“You know, there’s a lot of talk about obesity,” Gates told Shamani. “When I met the Prime Minister, he discussed various yoga-based approaches that people should consider. But behaviour change is difficult, and no country has really mastered it yet.”


His comments come amid rising concern over obesity in India and worldwide, where excess weight is increasingly linked to chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

PM Modi flags India’s alarming forecast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been vocal about the same problem. Speaking at a rally in Silvassa on 7 March, he cited figures from The Lancet projecting that 440 million Indians could be obese by 2050.

“Obesity is a major threat to public health,” the Prime Minister warned. “It is the root cause of numerous diseases. This forecast of 440 million obese Indians is deeply concerning.”

He urged citizens to take charge by reducing edible oil consumption by at least 10 percent and building regular exercise into their lives. On World Health Day, he reiterated this message, calling for a “collective contribution” towards a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India), grounded in healthier daily choices.

World Health Day 2025 Theme

The World Health Organisation convened its First World Health Assembly in 1948. World Health Day, marked each year on April 7, highlights the significance of worldwide healthcare while encouraging united efforts to tackle urgent medical concerns.

Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1950, this observance brings together national authorities, organisations, and local populations to focus on essential health objectives annually.

This year's theme is "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures".

The science behind the struggle

Gates acknowledged that while individual lifestyle shifts are important, medical innovation will play a critical role. He pointed to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists—originally developed for diabetes—as one of the most promising solutions on the horizon.

“The most promising is a class of drugs called these GLP-1 drugs that are going to go off patent to become cheap. I'm always a little 'over-focused' on a scientific solution,” Gates admitted. “So, maybe a combination of that behaviour change and the new tools. But behaviour change is hard; we haven't succeeded in that as much as we'd like to.”

These medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, work by mimicking a natural hormone in the body that slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. The result? Users feel fuller for longer and tend to eat less.

Dr Rohini Patil, nutritionist and founder of Nutracy Lifestyle, explained to Indian Express that “GLP-1 is a natural hormone in our body that plays a role in digestion and appetite control.” By imitating this hormone, the drugs help manage hunger and enable meaningful weight loss.

How lifestyle still matters

Despite optimism around medical tools, experts say lifestyle remains a key factor in long-term weight control. But for many, that change can be overwhelming. Personal trainer Deepika Sharma believes progress begins with small, consistent steps.

“Build tiny, daily rituals—movement that fits your life, not your gym shoes,” she suggested. “Consistency beats intensity.”

Among her tips:

• Don’t count calories, focus instead on balanced, nutrient-rich meals.
• Chew more. Increasing chews from 10 to 30 per bite has been shown to improve digestion and reduce hunger.
• Try using your non-dominant hand to eat. Clinical dietician Dr Ridhima Khamsera said this slows down eating and reduces overeating by up to 30 percent.
• Cooler bedrooms can help. Sleeping at 19°C activates brown fat, which burns calories for heat and improves insulin sensitivity.
• Surround yourself with health-minded people. Proximity shapes habits, often more than willpower.

Dr Pratayksha Bhardwaj, a dietician and weight management specialist, added, “Ghirlin, the hunger hormone, goes up, while the satiety hormone goes down,” when people don’t sleep well. This imbalance often leads to late-night cravings and weight gain.

India’s Obesity Thresholds Are Lower

In India, the bar for what’s considered overweight is lower than in Western countries. According to the World Health Organization, a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 is typically the starting point for obesity. But in India, a BMI of 23–24.9 is classed as overweight, and anything above 25 is obese. Morbid obesity begins at 35 and above.

This means a larger portion of the Indian population is at risk than global stats might suggest, amplifying the urgency of preventive action.

Both Gates and Modi converge on one reality: the obesity crisis is not just a medical issue—it’s cultural, behavioural, and deeply entrenched in daily life.

The path forward will likely need both pills and personal change. But until behaviour becomes as habitual as brushing teeth, the road will remain steep.

“Maybe India can pioneer some approaches in this space,” Gates said. But for now, as he and Modi agree, the battle against obesity demands more than just wealth or willpower—it requires a shift in how we live, eat, sleep, and move.